PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT CONSERVATION

• Street walks, informational tables at the co-op, Hanover Streetfest, Hanover Home
• Show etc. including Climate Friendly Tips for Kids and conservation tips for adults
• Hallowe'en party
• No Idling campaign
• Survey of several hundred Hanover middle and high school students about their
• attitudes toward global warming
• Spectator columns about many aspects of conservation, and LTEs to the Valley News.

STUDIES OF PUBLIC LIGHTING

• STOPLIGHTS: As Bob Norman was assessing the timing of stoplights at major intersections in order to reduce idling, the town installed an LED signal light at a major intersection and realized major savings of energy and money.
• STREET LIGHTS: John Trummel, Marjorie and Yolanda studied and reported on the current status of streetlights and made recommendations for modification.   June 1 - Presentation to Hanover Selectboard: Street Lighting Campaign

STUDIES OF TOWN ENERGY CONSUMPTION: 

• Charlie Sullivan analyzed CO2 emissions from town operations. His presentation to the selectboard resulted in a commitment to reduce emissions.

WEATHERIZATION: 

• CPC contacted auditors and invited them to submit bids to assess energy efficiency of town buildings.Priorities were assigned to the work of weatherization, which then began with senior housing.

UPGRADING OF BUILDING CODES: 

• CPC initiated discussions with town officials about upgrading building codes, to apply to public or private buildings. An urgent case in point is the planned renovation of the Dartmouth's president's house (including central air conditioning! -- see my letter to the VN Forum).

On this page, we will share general energy-saving ideas, especially as they relate to reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions, which have been documented as a component related to climate change.

The Town of Hanover Becomes a Cool City - Turn off your Engine, and stop Idling!

This is a primer, created by Roger Lohr for the Hanover Climate Protection Committee.

According to the information from the NH Department of Environmental Services, millions of vehicles idle needlessly when used to drop off or pick up passengers, make deliveries, or wait in drive-through lanes. This wastes money, causes air pollution (smog, haze, and acid rain), affects climate change, and possibly damages engine parts.

Facts:

• Today's fuel-injected engines don't need to be warmed up beyond 30 seconds on a cold day. The car warms up more quickly once it is operating.
• Frequent restarting does not use more gas. Letting the vehicle engine idle for more than approximately 10 seconds uses more gas than shutting it off and restarting.
• Frequent restarting will not harm the vehicle.

When the vehicle idles it gets zero miles per gallon and it is not operating at peak temperature. The incomplete combustion causes fuel residue to condense on engine parts like spark plugs and can contaminate oil. Idling also allows water to condense in the exhaust system, which can cause rust. So, idling is not good for the vehicle.

Emissions from idling vehicles create smog and ground level ozone that have direct impact on our health. These unhealthy emissions may be life threatening to people with cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, like asthma. Children are more susceptible as they have a more rapid respiration rate and they inhale more air per pound of body weight compared to adults.

Carbon dioxide is a large part of vehicle emissions and this greenhouse gas has been documented as a component related to climate change.

Please turn your engine off unless absolutely necessary. Thank you.

NY Times Article: "How One Man Dropped 1,700 lbs. of Carbon Dioxide Emissions"

In the NYTimes on September 5, 2006, page D7, there was a story entitled: "How One Man Dropped 1,700 lbs. of Carbon Dioxide Emissions." Here is a summary of his actions and the time required to make these initiatives:

1. Turn your thermostat down 1 degree at night in winter (79 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: 30 seconds, cost - none
2. Don't leave the bathroom while shower heats up (342 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: None, cost - none
3. Wash whites with a warm/cold cycle (82 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: None, cost - none
4. Cancel delivery of print catalogs (154 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: 22 minutes, cost - none
5. Buy & put in 2 Cool white compact fluorescent bulbs in non-annoying places (300 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: 20 minutes, cost - $4 more than 2 regular bulbs, but last longer.
6. By 2 power strips with surge protectors, turn them off at night (315 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: 25 minutes, plus 10 seconds/day, cost - $33
7. Hand wash dishes made dirty after dinner (200 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: 5-10 minutes, cost - none
8. Set computer to 'sleep' sooner (250 lbs/year).
   • Time Required: 20 seconds (modify 'System Preferences'), cost - none